Most common 2006 Lexus IS problems
Share of the 143 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus IS complaints by model year
Best IS years: 2014, 2013, 2015. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2007. Compare all years →
2006 Lexus IS recalls (7)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Lexus is and model year 2006-2007 Lexus gs vehicles. Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to an engine fuel delivery pipe with nickel phosphorus plating, there is a possibility that, over time, the pressure sensor could loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for fuel leakage from the threaded portion of the fuel pressure sensor and if a fuel leak is not confirmed, dealers will further tighten the fuel pressure sensor with the proper torque.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 Lexus rx, and model year 2006 Lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 15, 2010.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling 214,570 my 2006-2008 Lexus is, my 2006-2007 gs and my 2007-2008 ls passenger vehicles equipped with aluminum fuel delivery pipes (fuel rails). Ethanol fuels with a low moisture content will corrode the internal surface of the fuel rails.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Owners May contact Toyota/Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain vehicles, high stress areas May have been created in two specific fuel pipes located in the engine compartment. Combined with other factors such as the presence of corrosive agents in fuel, a crack May form over time leading to fuel leakage from the fuel line(s).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two involved fuel lines with newly designed lines free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2007. Owners May contact Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Seat belts › Front
On certain passenger vehicles, if the front seat belt retractors (both driver and front passenger) become locked, they May not release due to a component of the emergency locking system. If the seat belt is locked in this condition, the occupant May not be able to properly fasten the seat belt.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat belt assemblies. The recall began on April 21, 2006. Owners May contact Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Show 1 more recall
Air bags
On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on April 6, 2006. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371, Scion at 1-866-548-1851, or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
What 2006 Lexus IS owners say
Body & structure all 43 →
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS. The contact stated that the dashboard was melted and was causing vision impairment while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The vehicle was inspected, and the diagnosis was confirmed. The contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS350. The contact stated that while driving during hot weather, the dashboard would get very hot and sticky. The contact stated that the glare from the melting dashboard reflects off the windshield causing a visibility hazard. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 29 →
My dashboard is melting due to a manufacturing defect. The glare from my dashboard makes driving difficult as the glare can blind you. The chemical smell from the melting is horrible. I have placed a dash cover on which has helped but if I am in an accident this dash cover will impede the correct deployment of my airbag on the passenger side. Also the inside door panels are melting and are becoming a "putty" like substance. Everything sticks to it. Including my clothes. While driving I have had to jerk my arm from the rest on the door trim to remove it. This can cause my vehicle to possibly swerve off the road or into oncoming traffic. Warranty Enhancement Program - ZLD and CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZLZ were the remedies for this issue. But these have expired. The Manufacturer will not honor this or consider this a safety / hazardous issue and correct it now. …
The dashboard is melting a known error to Lexus and when the sun hits it reflects off the melted dash and puts a glare on the windshield. Lexus knew about the problem and instead of doing a recall they did an extended warranty back in 2017. I took mine in and assumed they replaced dash and door panels. Called this year because my dash was melting and they stated all they did was the door panels back in 2017. I have informed my local dealership as well as corporate and neither seem willing to help or fix the issue. There are all kinds of write up online about this issue. It is definitely a safety issue that should have been addressed a while back but wasn't.
Air bags all 26 →
Hello ,I am in Seattle Washington. I'm emailing about my Lexus IS250 2006. A few months ago I took my car to the dealership to get the passenger airbag recall done. Immediately after getting that recall fixed. My airbag light on my vehicle came on. We did not think anything of it, we thought it would come off over time. Time has gone by the light has not gone off. So today we took our vehicle to Lexus of Bellevue. They told us that there was an issue with the driver side airbag harness. Something about tension on it or it Deteriorating. The dealership is now saying that my car is not safe. That none of the safety features airbags or seatbelts will work due to this light being on. They will not be covered because there is no recalls for this harness. I have done much research online this is a common well known issue with Lexus. Now my car is a paperweight. …
My 2006 Lexus IS350 is subject to NHTSA Recall number 16V340, for passenger airbag replacement. According to the diections on the NHTSA website shown in the following link: [redacted] The dash pad needs to be removed to access the airbag and perform the repair. Ive contacted my 3 local Lexus dealers and was told in various ways that they do not remove the dash to accomplish the repair but instead just remove the glove compartment and associated parts to access the airbag. I wanted the dash replaced (it was cracked) when the old dash was removed to do this recall repair. SInce the dealers do not actually remove the dash, I was told this was not possible. One dealer told me that for an extra $350, the service dept. would do the repair according to the above linked instructions. I have notified Lyndss Tor at [email] as well as Toyota Quality Compliance [email] and recieved no reply. …
2006 Lexus IS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Lexus IS a good car?
Based on 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 IS rates avoid: 5.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the IS at the same age. It is one of the IS years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Lexus IS?
The body & structure — 43 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (29) and air bags (26).
How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus IS have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2006 Lexus IS, the most recent from January 26, 2011 (delivery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus IS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2013 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2007. See the full Lexus IS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Lexus IS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.